Happy Thursday, everyone!

The clocks have sprung forward, the sun is sticking around longer, and the weather this week is shaping up to be beautiful.

That means it’s a great time to get out and explore what’s happening around the island. We’ve got festivals, art exhibits, live music, and plenty of community events lined up this week.

Also, a new cafe on the island popped up that may be worth trying out.

Let’s dive in!

In this week’s email:

• Featured Events: Story Telling & Drum Fest + Art Exhibits

• Alameda News: Alameda Restaurant Week & Comedy

• Restaurant of the Week: Blue Drip Co.

• This Week’s Events: Live Music, Classes, Free Events

• Houses on the Market: New Alameda Listings

Read time: 9 mins

FEATURED EVENTS

5th Annual Storytelling & Drumming Festival

The 5th Annual Storytelling & Drumming Festival is a totally free afternoon of live storytelling, drumming performances, and puppet shows for all ages. Alameda Recreation & Parks puts this on every year and it keeps getting better. Bring the kids, bring the grandparents, everyone is welcome. No tickets needed, just show up. More info

Saturday, Mar 14 | 12 PM- 3:30 PM📍1155 Santa Clara Ave, Alameda | Price: Free

Flight Patterns – Exhibit Reception

Rhythmix's K Gallery is celebrating the opening of "Flight Patterns", a stunning exhibit dedicated to Alameda's local birds. Think photography, painting, ceramics, print work, and mixed media, all curated by local birder and writer Deborah Crooks. If you've ever watched the egrets on the estuary and thought "someone should make art about that", someone did. Come meet the artists Friday night.

Friday, March 13 | 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM | 📍Rhythmix Cultural Works | 2513 Blanding Ave | FREE | More info

ALAMEDA NEWS

This Week’s Headlines

Alameda Restaurant Week

The 9th Annual Alameda Restaurant Week runs March 20–29, and this year it's going "World Cup Edition", a nod to the island's diverse food scene and global flavors. Over 60 restaurants, bars, breweries, and wineries are already signed up, with more being added. Expect special prix fixe menus, deals, and promotions you won't find any other time of year. It's one of the best excuses all year to finally try that spot you've been meaning to check out.

We'll be keeping a close eye on the menus as restaurants roll out their Restaurant Week specials, and we'll share the best deals and must-try dishes in next week's newsletter before it kicks off. More info

Alameda Comedy is Back!

The Alameda Comedy Club closed its doors in 2025 after four years. Owner Patrick Ford put $200K into the space, but COVID never let the business fully recover. So instead of walking away, he dropped the "Club" and kept going. Alameda Comedy now runs shows at the Fireside Lounge, the Cinema Grill, the USS Hornet, and other spots around the island, and the Fireside shows have sold out three months in a row.

The Cinema Grill is also getting in on the action with Wednesday night comedy and live music nights in the main theatre. If you loved the old Comedy Club, it never really left. View Show Times

APD: Car Break-Ins Are Up - Keep your Car Clear

Alameda Police issued a community advisory this week after vehicle break-ins jumped from 16 to 21 reports in a single two-week stretch ending in early March. Vandalism cases are up, too. APD's advice: lock your doors, don't leave anything visible inside, and report anything suspicious. Separate from the mail theft arrest last week, this one is specifically about car break-ins happening right now across the island. Read More

Meet New People In Alameda

Last month, about 80 people met up in Alameda looking to make new friends and meet new people. The event was called the Alameda Dinner Club.

We got some amazing feedback from the first event about people enjoying their tables and mingling at the after-party. But also, a big wake-up call to get a bigger spot for the after-party.

So we’re bringing back!

The next Alameda Dinner Club is happening Tuesday, March 24th.

How it works:
It’s a dinner where everyone takes a quick personality quiz, then is paired up with 5 other strangers based on things like age, budget, interests, etc. Then you all meet at a local restaurant here in Alameda.

Then, after dinner, we all meet at a local bar for the after-party!

To reserve your seat, it’s $20, and we already have 60 people signed up for this one.

So if you’ve been looking for an easy way to meet new people, click the link to take the quiz and reserve your spot.

Want your business in front of thousands of Alamedans? Email us at alamedapulse@gmail.com

RESTAURANT OF THE WEEK

Blue Drip Co.

A brand new coffee shop just opened on the West End of Alameda.

Blue Drip Co. Cafe just opened inside the Storehouse Lofts on the west end of the island, and it’s unlike anything else in town. The cafe was started by Dwayne and Wilson, who originally built Blue Drip as a home aroma brand, making non-toxic soy candles and flower reed diffusers. The cafe grew out of that same idea: a space where you can enjoy a great drink while surrounded by amazing scents.

This week, I stopped by to try a few of their house favorites, including the Whipped Honey Latte, a Waffle Sandwich, and their Chicken Panini. The space inside is bright, clean, and spacious, making it a great spot if you want to relax or get some work done.

You’ll find them at the Storehouse Lofts on the base, right next to Saltbreaker. So if you’ve been looking to try a new coffee shop, try them out!

Check out the video above if you want to see my experience.

This Week’s Events

Live Music & Shows

Airwaves – Pre St. Paddy's Dance Party | Fri, Mar 13 | 7:30–10:15 PM | No cover 📍 Cinema Grill, 2301 Central Ave, Alameda – Alameda's favorite 80s cover band throws a Pre St. Patrick's Day dance party. Food, drinks, neighbors, and plenty of dancing. Doors open at 6:30 PM. More info

Live Music with Donovan Plant | Sat, Mar 14 | 6:00–8:00 PM | Free 📍 The Hobnob, 1413 Park St, Alameda – Happy hour live music from singer-songwriter Donovan Plant. Come for dinner and stay for the show. More info

All-Stars Comedy Night | Sat, Mar 14 | 8:00 PM | $10 cover 📍 The Fireside Lounge, 1453 Webster St, Alameda – A monthly all-stars comedy showcase with some of the best local comics in the East Bay. Open Mic Comedy follows at 10:00 PM, no cover. More info

DJ EightBall at Park Station | Fri, Mar 13 | 6:00–9:00 PM | Free 📍 Park Station, Park St, Alameda – DJ EightBall spins at the outdoor beer garden. Craft beer, good company, and a fire pit. More info

Jazz Jam Hosted by Caesar's Empire | Wed, Mar 18 | 6:00–8:00 PM | Free 📍 Park Station, Alameda – A weekly jazz jam open to musicians and listeners alike. One of the best low-key midweek vibes in Alameda. More info

School of Rock Alameda Adult Showcase Cover! 6-7 PM | March 14, Fri | 6:00–7:00 PM | Free📍The Fireside Lounge - School of Rock Alameda’s adult students are taking the stage for a live showcase. More info

Games, Drinks, & Vibes

Pints & Plants – St. Paddy's Edition at Faction | Tue, Mar 17 | 6:00–8:00 PM | Price not listed 📍 Faction Brewing, 2501 Monarch St, Alameda – Pot a lucky plant, grab a pint, and toast to St. Patrick's Day at the waterfront brewery. More info

Craft Night w/ Jenny | Thu, Mar 12 | 6:00–9:00 PM | Price not listed 📍 Alameda Brewing, Broadway, Alameda – A hands-on craft night at the brewery. Drop in, make something, grab a pint. More info

Trivia Night at Alameda Brewing | Tue, Mar 17 | 7:00 PM | Free 📍 Alameda Brewing, Broadway, Alameda – Live multi-media trivia every Tuesday. Free to play, win prizes, teams up to 6. More info

Singer/Songwriter Open Mic | Wed, Mar 18 | 8:00–11:00 PM | Free 📍 The Fireside Lounge, Webster St, Alameda – A weekly open mic spotlighting local musicians and songwriters. Sign-ups at 7:30 PM. Expect acoustic sets and original music from Bay Area performers. More info

Community & Classes

Alameda Quilt Guild Workshop | Sat, Mar 14 | 10:00 AM – 4:00 PM | Price not listed 📍 Corica Park, 1 Clubhouse Memorial Rd, Alameda – Monthly quilting workshop held every second Saturday. All skill levels welcome. More info

Women of Alameda's History | Sun, Mar 15 | 1:00 PM | Free 📍 Alameda Museum, 2324 Alameda Ave, Alameda – Learn about the remarkable women who shaped Alameda's history. More info

Taste of Judaism (Free 3-Part Series) | Sun, Mar 15 | Free 📍 Temple Israel of Alameda – One session in a free three-part series exploring Jewish culture, history, and tradition. All are welcome. More info

Monday Night Life Drawing | Mon, Mar 16 | 6:00 PM | $20 📍 Frank Bette Center for the Arts, Alameda – Drop-in figure drawing session with a live model. All skill levels welcome, bring your own supplies. More info

Library: Keep Calm & Carry Yarn | Mon, Mar 17 | 4:00 PM | Free 📍 Main Library, Alameda – Drop-in crafting session with yarn. All ages and skill levels welcome. More info

Bhangra Fundamentals Dance Class | Mondays | 6:30–7:30 PM | $15 drop-in 📍Rhythmix Cultural Works, 2513 Blanding Ave, Alameda – Learn the fundamentals of Bhangra, the energetic folk dance from Punjab, India. This all-levels class focuses on rhythm, movement, and fun while giving you a great workout. More info

Dating, Connection, & Recreation

Friday Connect at Improv Central | Fri, Mar 13 | 6:00–7:30 PM | $35 📍Improv Central, Alameda – A fun improv mixer where you’ll play simple games, meet new people, and share a lot of laughs. No acting experience needed. More info

Singles Mingle Night (Prodominant Age Range: 30-65)| Sun, March 15 | 3:00 PM | Free📍 McGee's Bar & Grill, 1645 Park St, Alameda — Tired of the apps? Meet people the old-fashioned way over drinks at McGee's. Free to attend. More info

Kindred Running 3-Mile Social Run | Thu | 6:30–7:30 PM | Free 📍Park Station, Alameda – Easy-paced 3-mile group run followed by a casual hang. All levels welcome. Come for the movement, stay for the community. More info

Family Events

STEAM Wednesdays at the Library | Wed, Mar 18 | 4 PM | Free (registration required)📍 Main Library, — hands-on science, tech, engineering, art, and math activities for kids. Registration required.

Youth Art Club — Stamping & Printmaking | Thu, Mar 12 | 3:30–5 PM | Free📍 Bay Farm Island Library, 3221 Mecartney Rd — short lesson on the history of stamping, then kids make their own stamps. No experience needed, all materials provided. Space is limited. More Info

Later This Month

Soft Pretzel Workshop at Faction Brewing | Wed, Mar 25 | 6:30–8:00 PM | Price TBA 📍Faction Brewing, Alameda – Learn to roll, twist, and bake soft pretzels, make cheddar pub dip, and leave with 4–6 fresh pretzels. Bay views included. More info

Downtown Alameda Whiskey Stroll | Fri, Mar 27 | Time TBA | Price TBA 📍Downtown Alameda – Sip and stroll through historic downtown while tasting premium craft whiskeys at local businesses. Tickets include a collectible tasting glass, small bites, and a tasting guide. More info

Have something locals should know about? 👉️ Email: alamedapulse@gmail.com

HOUSES ON THE MARKET

Alameda Listings

Want your business in front of thousands of Alamedans? Email us at alamedapulse@gmail.com

— For Frankie